Hooray for hankies
SANTINI GOVINDAN
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A brief look at how the handkerchief has evolved over the years.
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Though it is a small and inexpensive part of our daily attire, it is absolutely indispensable. The word `handkerchief' comes from the old English comes from the old English word `courdhef' which in turn comes for the French word cuevrechief meaning, a cover for the head. Eventually, when pieces of cloth were held in the hand and used to wipe the face or blow the nose, the word `hand' was put before the `kerchief'.
Roman nobles used an oblong cloth of linen called the `sudaruim' to wipe perspiration from their face and hands, as far back as the first century B.C. In classical Greece, pieces of perfumed cloth, were used by the wealthy. The Greeks are also believed to be the inventors of the monogrammed handkerchiefs.
Snuff handkerchiefs used by those who put snuff into their noses, were used in Turkey during the Ottoman empire. These small, rectangular handkerchiefs were always dark brown or black so that they would not show snuff stains.
During the Middle Ages in England, handkerchiefs of different shapes and sizes were prized possessions that were shown off by rich folk. During the time of King Louis XVI of France, handkerchiefs sometimes had a diameter of two feet! One day at Versailles, Marie Antoinette declared the square handkerchief was the most useful and practical. Lousi XVI immediately issued a proclamation that all handkerchiefs in his kingdom had to be square. And that was how the modern handkerchief was born.
The Mormons used "healing handkerchiefs" in the early part of the 19th century. In Venezuela, people never gift a packet of handkerchiefs because of the belief that it will cause both the giver and the taker to fight.
In Switzerland, during the wedding ceremony, a bridesmaid hands out coloured handkerchiefs to each guest for good luck. A guest accepting the handkerchief gives a coin in return, which goes into the couple's nestegg.
Finally, handkerchiefs have even given the English language the expression `hanky-panky' that is used to describe underhand or sneaky activities?
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